The Early Head Start Teacher provides responsive care and educational opportunities for children aged 0-36 months, focusing on health and skill growth. Responsibilities include implementing the Creative Curriculum, conducting developmental screenings, and maintaining regular communication with families.
Requirements summary
The candidate must be able to implement specific early learning frameworks and utilize tools like the Teaching Strategies GOLD system and Child Plus database. They must be capable of managing daily routines, including feeding and diapering, while fostering a nurturing environment.
Curriculum ImplementationClassroom ManagementParent CommunicationLesson PlanningBehavioral SupportEarly Childhood EducationHealth and Safety ComplianceChild Development AssessmentObservation and DocumentationDual Language Learning Support
Job description
Payroll title: Early head start teacher
Under the supervision of the Curriculum Specialist, the Early Head Start Teacher (EHS Teacher) will provide responsive care, effective teaching and an organized learning environment that promotes the health development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, (HSELOF) including for children with disabilities. EHS Teachers will emphasize nurturing and responsive practices, interactions and environments that foster trust and emotional security; are communication and language rich; promote social, emotional, behavioral, and language development and support all children’s engagement in learning experiences and activities. (HSPPS 1302.31)
Be responsible for the daily care and educational opportunities for four children, ages 0 – 36 months. HSPPS 1302.21 b (2)
Establish daily routines for each infant and toddler in care. HSPPS 1302.31(c)(1).
Upon Administration approval, assist in the afterschool program when necessary.
Promote relational learning and include individualized and small group activities that integrate appropriate daily routines into a flexible schedule of learning experiences (HSPPS 1302.31(c)(1))
Recognize physical activity is important to learning and integrate intentional movement and physical activity into curricular activities and daily routines in ways that support health and learning to include indoor and outdoor activities. HSPPS 1302.31; HSPPS 1302.33(a)(b).
Implement snack and meal times that support development and learning – which may include holding infants during feeding to support socialization HSPPS 1302.31 e (2)
Maintain accurate USDA meal counts HSPPS 1302.44(a)(2)
Implement Creative Curriculum and utilize the curriculum tools, (lesson plans organizer, mighty minutes, intentional cards, etc) HSPPS 1302.31; HSPPS 1302.32(a)
Complete weekly lesson plan activities aligned with the Creative Curriculum and School readiness through the Teaching Strategies System (GOLD). HSPPS 1302.31; HSPPS 1302.32(a)
Implement additional curricular enhancements as appropriate and as directed (e.g. Pyramid model, science-infused curriculum) HSPPS 1302.31; HSPPS 1302.32(a)
Maintain developmental outcomes through the Teaching Strategies System (GOLD). Complete the three checkpoint assessment periods per child during the school year in the GOLD system. HSPPS 1302.33(b)(1 – 3).
Maintain a regular communication with parents so that families are well-informed about their child’s routines, activities, progress and behavior. Document all type of communication in the Child Plus Database. (HSPPS 1302.34(3).
Observe and document children observations in the Teaching Strategies (GOLD) system. Maintain children levels up to date. HSPPS 1302.33(b)(1 – 3).
Monday-Friday 40 hours per week
Conduct evaluations of infants and toddlers gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, language and literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional development using the Teaching Strategies (GOLD). HSPPS:1302.31(b)(1)(ii)
Ensure developmental screenings are completed in conjunction with the parent utilizing the Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition (ASQ-3) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire – Social and Emotional (ASQ-SE) and enter scores into the ASQ Online Database. Ensure to share results with parents through a parent conference. File all the assessments in the child’s main folder. HSPPS 1302.33
Implement when applicable Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Follow-up Intervention Plan (FIP), or Individual Education Plan (IEP), and ensure that activities from such plans are current and up-to-date and implemented into daily routines. Document goals and special notes in the Child Plus system. HSPPS 1302.33(3 – 5)
Within a reasonable amount of time, ascertain child’s diapering, toileting. Assist in the potty training of toddlers based on developmental level. HSPPS:1302.43, 1302.47 (b)(6)
Within a reasonable amount of time ascertain feeding schedule. Encourage children to feed themselves. HSPPS:1302.43, 1302.47 (b)(6)
Assist in health care needs such as washing hands, diapering, toileting, and brushing teeth. HSPPS:1302.43, 1302.47(b)(6)
Arrange classrooms in well-defined areas with age appropriate furniture, equipment, materials and supplies. Assure all areas are safe, attractive and inviting. HSPPS:1302.47(b)(2), 1302.31
Provide infants and toddlers with stimulating activities and toys. HSPPS:1302.31
Talk to, interact, and play with infants and toddlers throughout the day, including when engaging in daily diapering, feeding, outdoor activities, and transition times. HSPPS:1302.31(b)(c)
Value and affirm each child and family’s cultural, linguistic, ethnic and family structure. HSPPS:1302.31(b)(1)(i)
Maintain safe, best practices hygienic feeding and diapering practices. Disinfect and sanitize the environment throughout the day. HSPPS:1302.43, 1303.47(b)(6)
Maintain and protect confidentiality and respect the privacy of others. HSPPS:1302.90 (c) (iii)(iv)
Conduct a minimum of two home visits and parent teacher conferences per year. Conduct additional when needed. File the forms in the child’s main folder. HSPPS:1302.34(b)
Encourage parents with the assistance of family workers to participate in the classrooms, center parent activities and meetings. HSPPS:1302.34(b)
Attend all assigned staff meetings, and trainings. HSPPS:1302.31, 1302.91
Participate in transition meetings from Early Head Start to Head Start, HSPPS: 1302.71 (b) (c).
Engage in practices that support the development of dual language learners. (HSPPS 1302.31 (2))
The EHS Teacher will have a positive, affectionate and responsive attitude towards all families, parents, and other primary caregivers. HSPPS 1302.31(2))
Include teaching practices that focus on the development of the home language and provide language experiences that expose the child to English (HSPPS 1302.31(2))
Accurately document in-kind into Child Plus database.
Administration has the authority to assign additional duties as seen fit for the benefit of the organization. HSPPS 1302.91
Market context
Florida Early Head Start demand is steady
Florida Early Head Start teachers are often in demand where programs need staff who can balance infant and toddler care with early learning standards. This role is competitive because employers look for candidates who can use HSELOF and GOLD, document child progress clearly, and work well with families and specialists. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then tailor your application to show experience with routines, assessment, and parent communication.
